The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1887-11-03

nlS releaSe-tauBnG my Cnlluren never
to omit the prayer Of "I pray God for
the release of President Davis" and L
echoed Mrs. Downing's touching appeal
wien she begged that johnson "would
give to us JEFF Davis back again; release
accomplish what he never had done-the
subjugation Of the Southern women"
When at length "hopo deferred had
made tho hoart SICK" the glad tidings
were flashed through the country, "Jeff
Davis has been released" 1 thanked
God and wept for JOY. and Horace
Greeley is one Yankee for whom L retain
a warm place in my heart. Whatever
the motive, thank and honor him for
that one action, which ennobled his life.
l hope l may live to see and thank him
for giving security for 'sour President.
A select committee of the Now York
Union League called meeting to take
action upon Mr.. Greely's conduct. Ro-
plying to their letter ho "dared them to
oxpel him." He began his letter:
"Gentlemen, shall not attend your
meeting this evening. [ have an engage
ment out Of town and shall keep it. [
do not recognize you as capable of
Judging, or even fully apprehending me.
You evidently regard me as weak SON
timontalist, misled by n maudlin philos-
ophy. arraign you as narrow-minded
blockheads. That was q bold letter.
L attended club meeting at--on
Thursday night. While conversing with
Mr.. Carter he quietly remarked that Mr..
Davis was in Augusta. "What, Presi-
dent Davis?" 1 said, in tones of glad
surprise. He told me eyes" 'I will
certainly 60 the city in tho morning and
take JEFF with me-" L remarked. Later
in the evening group consisting Of Mr..
Carter and others wero conversing.
Others Joined us, to whom l told the
good news, and there was ring of ex-
ultation and pride in my voice as / told
them "Jef Davis was in Augusta" /"
Looking up J. saw that one of our North
crn guests was seated near me; but what
cared [, as L remarked: "I am so anxi-
GUS to SEQ him-I do SO honor and
reverence his name" 'Mr. Davis owes
the estimation which the Southern peo-
pie hold him in to his long imprison-
ment," remarked Mr.. Carter. This
piQucd me. "You must admit that he
paid high price to gain this admira-
tion," replied. "Yes," he admitted,
"but JEFF Davis ought to thank God for
his being prisoner. Had this not been
the case he would havo gone to his grave
unhonored and unsung." "Why, Mr..
Garter, am astonished," L replied, "but
l confess, [ cannot argue cooliy with
you, [ only know that his long impris-
onment has endeared him to all true
Southern women. MIR. Davis has faults.
as who has nOt?"
Just then some one called Mr. Bruce
to form q quadrille, and then L expos
tulated with MIR. Carter, who is q minis
fNr
Mr. Davis beforoa Yankee, aud, i'll tones
of bitterness L could not prevent, L re-
marked, "Ono might possibly imagine
Mr.. Davis US going to his grave un-
honored and unsung by Southern peo-
pie, when we see Confederate officers
ignore the title which is their highest
honor. Why, wereoI q man who had
been in service, I should claim my rank,
from n corporal to q ma jor general, as
tho badge of distinction by which /
should wish to be known by all men,"
Abiding to my remark, "that Mr..
Davis called the Southern women "tho
dear daughters of his people," Mr..
| Carter said, "Ihat was SO much like Mr.
| Davis.
"Why do you object to it?" said I.
for by this time all the enthusiasm oil
my nature was aroused; "you are Il
minister; you speak of your congrcga
ton as your people, they are more yours
than mine; just SO, Mr.. Davis alluded tc
the Southern people as his people; they
are more his than yours, and L delight
to love, to honor and reverence him
Mr.. Davis is the only man living whom
I should feel willing to kiss the hand o.
and feel honored in SO doing"
1 smiled as L realized how far my wo
| ;, rf
with my indignation, had carried me
and our m conversation was changed b!
mutual consent, not until Mr.. Carter hat
expressed a sufficiently high opinion 0
Mr.. Davis to satisfy oven my wish to d'
him homage.
Yesterday morning Turner rode int
the city and JEFF and L drove i'll tn
buggy. We hoped to see Mr.. Davis
The morning was beautiful, and a
memories of the past-the Confederat
softened by the presence Of beautiful
nature. jeff and 1 talked, and he san
snatches Of little songs, and as we drov
D through the "Doublo Branches" W
watched the fish as they glided by, an
my heart had singularly uphftod fee
ing and an ever present sense of tn
goodness of God.
Arriving i'll tho city [ read that Pres
dent Davis would have u reception frol
twelve until two o'clock. Accompanie
by Turner, Jeff and Mary Vason, W
;, called at the Planters Hotel. Colont
Snead met lis at the door, and we waite
few moments until party who hu
been introduced finished their convcrs
o. ton. els that President Davis?" [ 81
o Q quired, rs L saw n gentleman bow to q
Introduction. eyes, wouldn't you ha'
It known him by his picturo2" "No,"
/ replied, she is much better looking
younger looking" Just then the Pres
dent turned, and Colonel Snead intr
|, duced us. [ shook hands with him, NJ
IL for the moment forgot oil else in Il
~ great content Of an accomplished hop
;, Drawing my little boy to me l intr
duced him as "Jeff Davis Thomas" |
IL took Jeifs hand in his, drew him close
,e to him and held there, with his ar
e around him, 81 cannot tell yo
u madame, how highly I appreciate IL
y compliment" said he. My heart war;
N ed OF his reception of JEFF, and adde
,e "You will understand how dear you n
to the dear daughters of your peopl
Ia 90 Won eO orannfullu form ua whnn / &